“The way I approach attending any conference is to first of all set a goal (or goals). Focusing on my goal(s) helps me to take the appropriate actions, either it be attending a keynote, participating in a workshop, or signing up for a networking event. This way I can anticipate what type of crowd I will be in and also have an idea of who's in the room.” - Tristan Every, Director of Business Development & Strategy, CR38TE

Tristan Every (second from left) on stage at ATECH Conference in Aruba.CR38TE

“Talk to everyone and let them know why you’re there. Keep your goal in mind and make the most of every encounter. You will be surprised at how much more you will get out of it.” - Linda Zangrilli, Certified Score Mentor and Executive Committee Member, Bucks County Chapter

“Articulate the primary reason that you have made the choice and committed to attend a particular conference. Getting clear on the reason will allow you to articulate what you’re seeking to accomplish from the conference. Take a minute to visualize yourself post-conference, after having achieved your goal. Be sure to commit this goal and your post-conference outcome to paper - whether in your favorite journal, on an index card, or as a note on your mobile. Taking the time to write out goals is a proven method to ensuring you achieve them .” - Adrienne Garland, Founder & CEO of She Leads Media

“Walking into a room full of strangers has never been my preferred activity but it is part of my job as CMO of Chariot Solutions and founder of TechGirlz. And, what I’ve learned is preparation is key. I always check to see if people in my network are attending the same event as I can use an event to touch base with clients or contacts I see less frequently.” - - Tracey Welson-Rossman, Chief Marketing Officer, Chariot Solutions and Founder, TechGirlz.org

"Be clear about what it is you hope to gain by attending. Set 2-3 goals for yourself so that you can measure the impact of your time, effort and expense. This may include meeting X number of people, learn about a new trend, or connecting with a specific person or company." - Vaughn Farris, Senior Manager Strategic Programs, WBENC

“When I’m selecting a professional development conference, I’m always on the lookout for speakers and content that will take me beyond my core areas of expertise. Who will help me challenge my thinking and challenge the status quo? I take a ‘flank approach’ when building my conference itineraries. I look for industries and speakers that are outside of golf, sports and entertainment, but run a bit parallel in terms of similar challenges they are trying to solve for. Those are the types of content and speakers that really allow me to grow, stretch and apply the highest value to my strategic goals and objectives.” - Sandy Cross, CDP | Senior Director, Diversity & Inclusion PGA of America

“Have a plan before you attend a conference. Research the event including speakers and sponsors. Don’t waste your time the day of the event trying to figure out where to go or which sessions to attend. Once in a session or workshop make a point to ask other participants why they chose that session. Think of yourself as an explorer not a hunter!” - Grace Killelea, CEO of The GKC Group and Author "The Confidence Effect

“As an organizer and attendee of dozens of conferences and events I’ve found that success at events is 100% timing and 100% preparedness. So do both! My three suggestions are: (1) Be prepared. Do your research before you walk in the door; (2) Be open to every conversation you have; (3) Build relationships. The chance of getting what you want on event day is slim so use the opportunity to lay a great foundation for future conversations.” - Andrew Gaeckle, Director, Strategic Planning, WBENC

“76% of Wall Street Women Forum participants I surveyed said their network needs recharging to get them where they want to go next in their careers. Being purposeful and genuine in networking at conferences is an effective way to do this. Create a meaningful and memorable narrative before and post conference (i.e. why are you reaching out to this person and what do you want them to know or recall about you?)." - Jane P. Newton, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor RegentAtlantic and Founder of RegentAlantic Wall Street Women Forum

“Most conferences these days have an app that allows you to connect with fellow attendees. Download the app before the conference and take a look at on who else is attending. If you find someone interesting in the app, take the time to do a bit of research on them so that when you do happen to meet up in person at the event you can breeze through the icebreaker and get right down to a meaningful discussion.” - Ray Walia, CEO Launch.vc and Co-Founder TractionConf.io

“For founders, meeting investors is a big motivator to attend conferences. If this is you, my advice is to check the speaker list of investors on the event website or app THEN research these people further (via LinkedIn, blogs, social media accounts). Discover what you have in common with them (maybe a city, college, workplace, area of interest) THEN use this insight when you have the chance to be introduced (i.e. thank them after their speech and ask for their card to contact them later). During the conference, note down that one small thing you learned from them (from their speech or Q&A remarks), and use this in your follow-up to make a truly personal connection.” - Anne Ravanona, Founder & CEO, Global Invest Her

Wear your nametag where it is visible (right shoulder so when you reach out to shake someone's hand, it is clearly visible). And I'll say it again: I'm not a big fan of lanyards (because they hang at an awkward level, making it hard to read the information printed on them).

“At most events you will find that the organization’s leadership will have a nametag with some sort of differentiator on it such as a ribbon or a different color ink; ask the person manning the registration desk how you can spot those in leadership positions as they will be primed and ready to welcome a newbie into the fold – that’s their job!” - Jennifer Scalzi CEO, Founder, Calibrate Legal and Board Member, Legal Marketing Association

“I talk to people while waiting in line, in the elevator, getting food – anywhere I see a namebadge. I’ve made some important relationships and deals this way.” - Tracey Welson-Rossman, Chief Marketing Officer, Chariot Solutions and Founder, TechGirlz.org

“Conferences can be more about the power of networking than the fulfillment of a specific business objective . Obviously you need to study the program, select the tracks most germane to your business, and seek to optimize your time. But the real opportunities come through the people you meet, even serendipitously. At an innovation conference in the Netherlands, I had the chance opportunity to meet a former EU head of state and global thought leader in innovation policy. A year after our initial conversation (on my invitation), he came to Canada to keynote at a gala, then lead an innovation workshop for my industry peers, plus attend meetings I arranged with industry and government leaders. An outcome I could not have predicted if I had simply ‘attended’ the first conference.” - Doug Robertson, President & CEO, Venn Innovation Inc., Chairman, Technology Councils of North America

“Don’t forget to be authentic, present and open to what may transpire at the conference. While you want to have a goal and a game plan, unexpected things tend to happen when you’re live and in-person. You never know who knows who and who can be a contact, resource, connection or the exact person you were seeking. Stay open to serendipity.” - Adrienne Garland, Founder & CEO of She Leads Media

“Conferences can be memorable, inspiring and fun -- a great way to re-energize yourself . Make a point to join and expand the conversation by tweeting key insights on the event hashtag. Be sure to get an online contact established (i.e.LinkedIn). Being engaged and seeking to connect can even result in new job opportunities, mentorship and speaking invitations.” - Cathryn Posey, Sr. Technology Director, Horizon Tech, Capital One

“I had one speaker introduce me to another potential speaker (via social media) and in her online intro she included a selfie (of her in a Startupfest conference hat). The speaker and I engaged in back and forth banter online until the new (potential) speaker chimed in saying that our online conversation was a big deciding factor in why she was now interested in being part of the conference.” - Rebecca Croll, Director of Content, Startupfest

Rebecca Croll, Director of Content, StartupfestStartupfest

Virtual Adds Value But Gathering IRL Removes Barriers

Chat functions do enhance online workshops and virtual conferences but to borrow from one of my mentors, "the network is incomplete until you meet in-person". Remember this before you skip the IRL event experience to rely on the livestream.

“Sometimes nothing beats gathering everybody in one place in real life. I’ve been running a series of company off-sites and away-days. It’s always a big investment, taking people out of the office but it’s no surprise that getting people together is really powerful in galvanizing everybody towards a common goal. I recently ran an away-day for a fintech company with employees scattered around the globe (from the company HQ in London to an office in Hobart, Tasmania). There’s a limit to how well you can engage everybody through digital channels and online meetings . That’s why away-days are so effective: my client got everybody together at a remote eco-retreat in rural England. People shared stories, the culture was cemented, and together we unearthed the secret sauce behind the company culture.” – Ian Sanders, Creative Consultant

Creative Consultant Ian Sanders in action.Ian Sanders

Take Time Post-Event To Reflect

One of the biggest mistakes (other than planning) in networking is the failure to follow-up! Not just with people you met at the event but with friends and colleagues who may not have been there. Find ways to share your experience and insights with them after the event.

Networks are the key to unlocking professional success. I know, because building diverse networks is the only explanation for how my own career has unfolded from corporate attorney to president of a global business network for women to co-founder of a startup accelerator th...